Multicolor-printing press.



PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905. n. R. MILLER. MULTIGOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

7 INVNTOR I ATTORNEYS.

PATBNTED SEPT. 26, 1905. D. 1;. MILLER. MULTIOOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6.1902,

5 sums-$113322.

IIV VDENTOR WITNESSES ATTKORNEYS.

No. 800,168. v PATENTED SB PT. 26,-1905.

D. R. MILLER.

MULTIGOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLIOAIION FILED JAN. 6,1902.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

-' 0 /A VE NTOR ATTORNEYS No. 800,163. PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

D, .R. MILLER.

MULTIGOLOR PRINTING PRESS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6, 1902.

v IN V5 N TOR WITNESSES:

W ATTORNEYS No. 800,163. v v PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

D. R. MILLER. MULTIOOLOB PRINTING PRESS; APPLICATION FILED JAN. 6,1902.

5 sums-sum 5.

v I/G/I/IJ 6 w/r/vfssm .//v VENTOR mm ATTURN E Y5 UNITED ,sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed January 6, 1902. Serial No. 88,673.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID RESTON MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas, and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Multicolor-Printing Presses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to multicolor-printing machines for printing in colors on tin plate or on suitable metallic or other sheets.

One object of my invention is to provide a mechanism whereby as many colors as desired may be printed at one operation, the

' process being such that one color is printed on a plate, then the printed surface is superficially dried sufliciently to prevent offsetting of the color by the application of a suitable powder, then the plate, without being re leased from the printing-cylinder, is printed with a second color, again sufficiently dried, and so on until the desired number of colors are printed, when the plate is released and carried to a suitable oven or other drying ap- 'paratus, where it is finally dried so as to harden all of the colors.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists in certain novel constructions,combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Figure 1 represents a view in side elevation of the mechanism embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig.3 represents a partial end elevation of the impression cylinder, showing one of the spring-actuated levers for holding the grippers on the cylinder. Fig. 4 represents a vertical longitudinal section of the impression-cylinder through one of the grippersshaft-grooves. Fig. 5 represents a partial end elevation of the same, showing one of the cams for opening and closing the grippers. Fig. 6 represents an end elevation of the cam and rocking shafts for operating the trip-pins for opening and closing the grippers. Fig. 7 represents a section of the cam on the line it a-of Fig. 6.- Fig. 8 is a plan view and section of one of the trip-pins and easing therefor. Fig. 9 represents a long iprinted etched thereon.

ing-plates to the transfer and printing cylin ders, respectively, being a section on line y y 1, which are secured to a supporting-base 2 and held in position at various points intermediate the height thereof by suitable bracerods 3 3. i

A shaft t is journaled in the side frames 1 and carries a printingcylinder, and below the same is a transfer-cylinder 7, supported on shaft 8, journaled in said frames. These cylinders are each built up from segments 6, corresponding in number.

Below the transfer-cylinder 7 is an impression-cylinder 9 on shaft 10. This latter cylinder is relatively larger than the transfer and printingcylinders, the increase in size being such thatthere is one more space or printing division thereon than the number of .segments 6, the said printing divisions being each equal in size to one segment. Thus, as shown in the drawings, the number of spaces or segments on the printing and transfer cylindersis six each and the number of spaces on the impression-cylinder is seven. This exact number of spaces is not, however, essential, and the number of spaces might be five and six, respectively, four and five, or

other like numbers.

On the segments 6 of the printing-cylinder 5 are the plates" 11, which are preferably of zinc, having the characters or devices to be These plates are secured to the segments Get the edges of the segment, as best shown in Fig. 10. At one edge of each segment is a pair of clampingblades l3 13, each of which is hinged to a block 14: on the under side of the respective segment. The printing-plate is placed between these bars and clamped therein by the clamping-bolts 15, as shown in Fig. 10. After the edge of the plate is clamped between the bars 13 the screws 16, passed loosely through the outer bar and threaded through the inner, as seen in Fig. 11, are. screwed inwardly against the edge of the segment, thereby forcing the hinged blades outwardly and drawing or stretching the plate smoothly over the sursimple clamping-plate, as 12.

drawings are supported by suitable side frames V The plates 11 are inked in the various colors desired by suitable inking-rollers 17, receiving their supply from suitable fountains, as best illustrated in Fig. 2.

A suitable means is employed for raising and lowering the inking devices so that each device shall apply color only to its own plate on the printing-cylinder.

The figures or characters on the plates 11 are transferred to sections of resilient blanket 18, which are secured to the segments 6 on the transfer-cylinder 7 by bars 12 and clamping-bars 13 in the same manner in which the plates 11 are secured to the segments of the printing-cylinder.

In the surface of the impression-cylinder 9 are a number of recesses or grooves 19, in which lie shafts 20. On these shafts are a number of grippers 21, which when turned to the limit of their movement in one direction are adapted to grip the edges of the plates to be printed and carry them with the cylinder during the printing operation and when turned to the limit of their movement in the opposite direction to be contained within the recesses 19, as shown in dotted lines in'Fig. 3 and at one position in Fig. 2. At one end the shafts 20 are provided with small cranks 22, to which are attached the rods 23, extending to swivelblocks 24. The rods 23 are provided with collars 25, between which and the blocks 24; springs 26 are interposed. On the opposite end of the gripper-shafts 20 are blocks 27, each having a slot or groove 28 in the face thereof, as shown in Figs. 4: and 5.

The position of each block 27 is such that stationary pins 29, entering one of the open ends of the slot as the cylinder is revolving, will rotate the block and shaft 20 to the dotted position shown in Fig. 5 or from the dotted position to the original position, according to the direction of movement of the cylinder and which end of the slot 28 is entered by the runs.

The pins 29 for operating the slotted blocks 28 are secured to the side frames 1 in suitable casings 30, being normally held out of engaging position with the slotted blocks 27 by springs 31 in the casings 30, which press against small studs 32 on the pins 29. The pins 29 are pressed inwardly to operating position against the tension of the springs 31 by the forked arms 33 on the rocker-shafts 341. The said shafts are supported in a vertical position by suitable bearings 35, which are secured to the side frames 1. At the upper ends of said rocker-shafts 3 1 are laterally-extending arms 36, having antifriction-rollers 37 on the ends thereof which engage with cams 38 and 39 on the shaft 8. The arrangements of these cams is shown in Figs. 6 and 7, where it will be seen that the inner cam may be adjusted relatively to the outer 39 by means of the small set-screw 40, this adjustment making it possible to so time the movement of the pins 29 that any of the grippers 21 may be opened or closed, as desired.

lnclosing the lower portion of the impression-cylinder 9 is a pan 4.1 for containing an impalpable powder, such as ground oystershells or magnesia. Through this pan 11 pass a number of transversely-arral1ge(l shafts -12 5L2, on which are mounted rollers 13 13, preferably built up of successive layers of soft cloth, and are designed for the purpose of carrying the drying-powder used to the surface of the printed plates on the cylinder 9. Also passing transversely through the pan 11 are shafts 44 44, carrying ln'ushes 4.5 for brushing off the surplus drying-powder from the printed plates.

The mechanism is driven from any suitable pulley, as 16, on shaft 47, which shaft carries a pinion 18, meshing with a large gear 1-9 on the pressurecylinder shaft 10. The gear 1-9 meshes with a gear 50 on the impression-cylinder shaft 8, said gear 50 meshing in turn with a gear 51 on the plate-cylinder shaft .1. On the shafts 12 are pinions 52, meshing with the large gear 49. On the shaft 53, passing through the pan etl, is a pinion also meshing with the large gear 19. A gear 54 on the shaft 53 engages with pinions of the brush-shafts 14: and drives the same. The pinion 18 meshes with a second pinion 56 on the shaft 57 and drives the same. On shaft 57 are placed disks or pulleys 58, from which belts 59 pass around the disks (i0, supportial on the brackets (31. These belts 59 serve to carry the finished plates away from the machine and may be extended to any desired distance and preferably lead to a suitable baking-oven.

On the shaft 47 are disks (52, from which belts 63 pass around the impression-eylinder 9. through the pan 11, and thence around the disks 77, 64, and 65 on the shafts 10, (37, and (58, respectively, thence returning to the disk 62. These belts are for the purpose of hold ing the edges of the printed plates in close contact with the surface of the impression cylinder while passing through the pan '11. Adjaccntto theil'npression-cylinderatoneside near its upper position is the feed-table (39, which is pivotally secured to a shaft 79. Provision is made for raising and lowering the feed-table from contact with the cylinder to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2. ()n the end of the shaft '70 is a crank 71, to which is connected a link 72, extending to a lever T3, pivoted intermediate its ends and on the inner end of which is mounted a roller 71, which runs on a cam 75, secured to the shaft 8.

The operation of the mechanism is as follows: The sheets to be printed are placed on the feed-table 69 when it is in a raised position. (Shown in dotted lines in lflg'. The table is then lowered to a position in contact with the impression-cylinderby the action of link 72 and lever 73. The forward edge of the plate is then seized by one of the sets of grippers 21, which are operated by the cams 38, as described. The plate is thereby carried between the impression-cylinder 9 and transfer-cylinder 7 and printed in one color. The cylinder continuing its rotation, the plate is carried through the pan 41, where the magnesia or other drying-powder is applied by the rolls 43 and the surplus thereof is brushed off by the brush-rolls 45. Now as the impression-cylinder 9 is one space or division larger than the transfer-cylinder 7 it follows that when the plate passes between said cylinders a second time it will receive an impression from the space on said transfer-cylinder next succeeding the space from which the'first impression was received, so that a second color will be printed on the sheet. It is obvious that as the plate drops back one space or division relatively to the transfer-cylinder at each revolution of the same that when the plate has passed through the cylinders a number of times corresponding to the number of spaces on said transfer-cylinder that the plate will have received impressions from each of the spaces or divisions on said cylinders. On passing for the last time between the cylinders the grippers 20 are released by the action of the cam 39, as described, and the plate is thrown upon the drop-table 76, whence it drops into'the conveyer-belts 59 and is carried to any suitable drying apparatus for theiinal drying.

It will of course be apparent that the action of lever 73 by cam 75 is timed to the'movement of impression-cylinder, and the action of cams 39 are also correspondingly timed for gripping and releasing the plates at the proper time.

Although I have specifically described one embodiment of the present inventiomyet-I desire it understood that I shall feel at liberty to deviate therefrom to any degree with reference to the details of structure within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination of a printing-cylinder provided with a number of printing surfaces, each adapted to receive a different color, an impression-cylinder arranged to carry a number of metallic plates and being capable of carrying one more plate than there are printingsurfaces upon the printing-cylinder, a trans-.

fer-cylinder interposed between the printingcylinder-and the impression-cylinder, and a series of yielding blankets carried by said transfer-cylinder, the said transfer-cylinder receiving the various colors from the printingcylinder and transferring each color to the plate-carrying surfaces of the impression-cylinder, each transfer-surface receiving the same color at each revolution of said transfer-cylinder, each of the transfer-surfaces receiving thus carried between the revolutions of the impression-cylinder so that each plate can receive the desired number of diflerent colors before being removed from the impressioncylinder, substantially as described.

3. Amulticolor-printing press, comprising a printing-cylinder carrying a number of printing-surfaces, an impression-cylinder arranged to be capable of'carrying metallic plates, the number of plates which may be carried by the impression-cylinder exceeding the number of printing-surfaces on the printing-cylinder so that a different color may be applied to each plate at every revolution of the impression-cylinder, and means for drying each color at every revolution of the impression-cylinder, the same means engaging all the plates which may be carried by the impression-cylinder all the colors being thus applied to such plates before they are removed from the impression-cylinder, substantially as described.

4. In a multicolorprinting machine, the

combination of a printing-cylinder having a plurality of printing-surfaces, means for delivering separate colors to each printing-surface, a transfer-cylinder having a numberof transfer surfaces equal to the number of printing-surfaces for receiving each color, an impression-cylinder provided with surfaces for holding anumber of plates to be printed which is one greater than the number of printing and transfer surfaces, and means for applying adrying-powder to each of the carrying-surfaces after it has received one color and before it is impressed with the second color, a continuation of the revolution of said cylinders thus producing a successive applying and drying of all ofthe colors received by the printing-surfaces, substantially as described.

5. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination of a printing-cylinder, and a transfer-cylinder, a plate-carrying cylinder provided with a number of gripping" devices for holding plates on said cylinder, means for operating said gripping devices in conjunction with the movement of .the cylinders, comprising spring-actuated detents,levers and rock-shafts for operating the same, a camdisk for engaging the levers, the said disk being provided with concentric raised portions for operating the levers and thereby the said detents to correspond with the position of the plate-cylinder, substantially as described.

6. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination of a printing-cylinder, a transfereylinder, and a plate-carrying cylinder, the plate-carrying cylinder being capable of carrying a greater number of plates than there are impression-surfaces on the printing and transfer cylinders, a series of gripping devices for holding such plates on the plate-cylinder, a series of spring-actuated detents for opening and closing the gripping devices, rock-shafts carrying arms for operating said spring-detents, lever ends on saidrock-shafts, a cam-disk carried by the impression-cylinder for engaging said levers, raised portions on the said disk arranged concentrically and at dilierent distances from the center of the disk, whereby one portion will engage one lever and the other, another lever for properly timing the operation of the grippers, substantially as described.

7. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination With a suitable supporting-frame of a pressure-cylinder mounted therein, means for rotating the same, means for retaining a plate in contact with said cylinder during a predetermined number of rotations thereof, belts passed partly about said cylinder and designed to retain the edges of said plate in contact with the cylinder, and means for applying an impression or color to said plate at each revolution of said cylinder, substantially as described.

8. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination with a suitable supporting-frame of a pressure-cylinder mounted therein, means for rotating the same, means for retaining a plate in contact with said cylinder during a predetermined number of revolutions thereof, belts passed about the under portion of said cylinder and designed to retain said plate in contact with said cylinder during a portion of the revolution thereof, and means for applying an impression or color to said plate at each revolution, substantially as described.

9. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination with asuitable supporting-frame of a pressure-cylinder mounted therein,means for rotating the same, means for retaining a plate in contact therewith, means for applying a color to said plate at each revolution of .the cylinder, a pan inelosing a part of said for rotating the same, means For retaining plate in contact therewith, means for applying a color to said plate at each revolution of the cylinder, a pan inelosiug a part 01' said cylinder, and designed to contain a dryingpowder, rolls for applying said drying-powder to said plate, means for rotating said rolls, rotary brushes designed to removesurplus powder from said plates, and means for rotating said brushes at a dill'erent rate from the movement of said rollers, substantially as described.

11. Ina multicolor-printing machine, the combination with a suitable supporti ng-frame, of a pressure-cylinder mounted therein, means for rotating the same, means for retaining a plate in contact therewith, means for applying a color to said plate at each revolution of the cylinder, a pan inelosing a part of said cylinder and designed to contain a drying-powder, means for applying said powder to said plate at each revolution of the cylinder, rotary brushes designed to remove surplus powder from said plate and means for rotating said brushes in opposite directions with respect to each other, substantially as described.

12. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination with asuitable supportirig-frame, of a pressure-cylinder mounted therein, means for rotating the same, means for retaining a plate thereon, means for applying a color to said plate at each revolution oi the cylinder, a pan inclosing a part otsaid cylinder and designed to contain a d ryi ug-powder, rolls for applying said drying-powder to said plate at each revolution of the cylinder, means for rotating said rolls, rotary brushes designed to remove surplus powder from said plate and means for rotating said brushes in opposite directions with respect to each other and at a different rate from the movement of said rolls, substantially as described.

13. In a multicolor-priuting machine, the combination with a suitable supporting-lra me, of an impression-cylinder mounted therein, means retaining a plate in contact with said cylinder during a predetermined number of revolutions thereof, means for applying an impression or color to said plate at each revolution. and means for superficially drying said color on the cylinder before the next succeeding color is applied, said drying means engaging the plate at each revolution of the cylinder, substantially as described.

14. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination of a printing-cylinder having a number of printing-s11rfaces on its periphery, an impression-cylinder arranged to carry a number of metallic plates greater than the number of printing-s11rlaces in the printingcylinder, a transfer-cylinder interposed between the printing-eylinder and the impression-cylinder, a number of transfer-blankels carried by the transfer-cylinder, equal to the number of printing-surfaces upon the printrevolution of the cylinders operating to present each of such surfaces upon the impression-cylinder to each blanket carried by the transfer-cylinder so that all the colors transferred by the said cylinder Will be applied to a given plate which may be carried by the impression cylinder, substantially as described. i

15. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination of a printing-cylinder having a series of printing-surfaces for printing different colors, a transfer-cylinder for receiving said colors, an impression-cylinder capable of carrying a number of plates to be printed and receiving the various colors from a transfercylinder, the number of plates which may be carried by the impression-cylinder differing from the number of printing-surfaces and transfer-surfaces, and means for drying the plates thus carried between the revolutions of the impression-cylinder so that each plate may receive the desired number of different colors before being removed from the printing-cylinder, substantially as described.

16. In a multicolor-printing press, the combination of a printing-cylinder havinga series of printing-surfaces for printing different colors, a transfer-cylinder for receiving said colors, an impression-cylinder capable of carrying a number of plates to be printed and receiving the various colors from the transfercylinder, the number of the plates which may be carried by the impression-cylinder differing by one from the number of printing-surfaces and transfer-surfaces, and means for drying the plates thus carried between the revolutions of the impression-cylinder so that each plate may receive the desired number of different colors before being removed from the impression-cylinder, substantially as described.

17. In a multicolor-printing machine, the combination of a printing-cylinder provided with a number of printing surfaces, each adapted to receive a different color, an impression-cylinder arranged to carry a number of metallic plates and being capable of carrying a different number of plates than there are printing-surfaces upon the printing-cylinder,

a transfer-cylinder interposed between the sion-cylinder, each transfer-surface receiving the same color at each revolution of said transfer-cylinder, each of the transfer-surfaces receiving a different color from the others.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

DAVID RESTON MILLER.

Witnesses:

' H. J. COWGILL,

D. O. BARNELL. 

